BREAKING THE CHINESE MYTH
| Dr. Jyotsna Pandit, Thought Leader, Writer, Noida, UP - 13 Apr 2021

Book Review

An Indepth Analysis of the Chinese Psyche and India’s Counter by a Most Distinguished General of the Indian Army

By Dr. Jyotsna PANDIT

“The grit, determination and strength of the Indian soldier have stood out. The Chinese have not been able to cope up with the harsh realities of the mountainous terrain. The senior leadership of the PLA has been found lacking at times showing their relative inexperience in strategy formulation and tactical execution. However, the lesson for the Indian Army from the Indo-China Galvan conflict is to ensuring a higher state of overall defence preparedness towards attaining the vision of Bharat 2047, a more technologically oriented, and equipped progressively with modern weapons and weapon systems, supported by technology based processes and automation to meet the needs and challenges of the future battlefield,” says Major General Dr. Rajan Kochhar in his latest book, “Breaking the Chinese Myth”. This book is a firsthand account of a soldier who has watched the developments in our neighbourhood in the recent past and is extremely relevant to the present times.

Much has been written recently about the present Indo-Chinese conflict but this book, written by Dr. Rajan Kochhar, a former general of the Indian Army, who is known to be an astute professional and a thinker, is in a different genre as it uncovers the Chinese Myth and exposes the invincibility of the PLA. “Breaking the Chinese Myth” is an extra ordinary piece of writing on current geo-political issues with reference to our belligerent neighbour China and the need for modernisation of our armed forces.

The book begins with the management of our borders and a hostile neighbourhood. The author brings out in a lucid manner how difficult a task it is for the security forces to manage a diverse border which is manifested with different kinds of terrains and extreme variation in climatic conditions. He brings out the need for getting all the security agencies under a single umbrella namely a “National Border Management Authority”, to ensure a more coordinated effort and better command and control of all resources to counter border infiltration and smuggling.

The book gives an interesting account of China’s emergence as a global power and its transformation as an economic power of reckoning. The grandiose design of its “One Belt One Road” initiative taking 65 countries along smacks off its expansionist designs. The Chinese Three World’s Theory beautifully explains how China has endeavoured to unite with other third world countries to counter the influence of United States and its allies as well as Russia. The key elements of Chinese foreign policy have been well enunciated and its linkages with the Chinese self perception brought out. The book lends a great insight on how China’s foreign policy has emerged under Xi JenPing with an attempt to remodel the World global order.

In a chapter, the author has made an honest comparative assessment of the PLA with the Indian Army. This will be quite useful to the readers as this chapter makes us aware about the latest military acquisitions by the Indian Army as well as the need to embrace disruptive technologies especially the likes of artificial intelligence, quantum information, big data analytics and cloud computing. The modernisation of PLA has been explained in detail and the lessons which the Indian Army can derive to enhance its own effectiveness.

            The present Indo-China Conflict has been covered well with all factual details and strategic assessments. The author brings out the requirement to enhance the strike capability of the Mountain Strike Corps to make the Indian Army a potent force to guard the Ladakh sector. A need for re-orientation of our defensive posture and the requirement for a multi layered ISR system to cover the operational and strategic depth areas have been analysed in detail. Our future relationship with China has been discussed and the author brings out the all pervasive need to arrive at an early solution to the LAC claim lines.

            An essential chapter deals with the requirement of a comprehensive defence strategy and the author has outlined a concept for its formulation. The threat perceptions as well as military preparedness of our adversaries have been well outlined and explained in sufficient detail. The reality of a two front threat has been correctly analysed and the need to bolster capability building has been voiced.

            In the last chapter of the book, which perhaps should be most relevant to the citizens of the country, is the development of the Indian defence industry and Make in India initiatives of the Government. The author analyses the efficacy of the various defence reforms announced by the Government and the need for the resuscitation of the Indian Defence Industry. Some very cogent recommendations which are workable and necessary have been given. The Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 has been analysed in detail and areas for more emphasis brought out. The book makes very interesting recommendations to further the Make in India programme towards an Atma Nirbharta Bharat.

It is interesting to realise that the entire saga in the present Indo-Chinese conflict has been the superior Indian soldier. The grit, determination and strength of the Indian soldier have stood out. The Chinese have not been able to cope up with the harsh realities of the mountainous terrain. The senior leadership of the PLA has been found lacking at times showing their relative inexperience in strategy formulation and tactical execution. Sun Tzu teaching couldn’t have been more apt to sum things up, ““If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

The goal of any conflict is to control your opponent and overcome them. Controlling their beliefs about your abilities helps you understand their assumptions and plan a strategy accordingly. Only in knowing your strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of the enemy, can you begin to form a strategic plan. When you understand these traits, you will be able to assess the likelihood of victory in any circumstance. If victory is not certain, you should not engage in conflict. To know your enemy, you must become your enemy.

The lessons which the Indian Army carries from this conflict will spur them to ensuring a higher state of overall defence preparedness towards attaining the vision of Bharat 2047. We can see leaner, efficient and professional armed forces in times to come. The Army of the future will have to be technologically oriented, with many more specialists, as compared to generalists. It will have to be equipped progressively with modern weapons and weapon systems, supported by technology based processes and automation to meet the needs and challenges of the future battlefield.

The book has been forthright to highlight all the above issues which would merit the attention of the appropriate forums of policy making in our Government. The book infuses a sense of secure future FOR OUR NATION. Counting the strengths and weaknesses the author weaves a strategy that visualises India at 100 years of independence, a country commanding international respect and dignity and also equipped with strong deterrent capability to any misadventure by its neighbours. Coming from a celebrated soldier it is both credible and reassuring. A must read for all who care for India.” 

VETERAN’S VIEWS ON THE BOOK - BREAKING THE CHINESE MYTH

“Breaking the Chinese Myth by Major General Rajan Kochhar, VSM infuses a sense of secure future FOR OUR NATION. Counting the strengths and weaknesses the author weaves a strategy that visualises India at 100 years of independence, a country commanding international respect and dignity and also equipped with strong deterrent capability to any misadventure by its neighbours. Coming from a celebrated soldier it is both credible and reassuring. A must read for all who care for India. - PROF BK KUTHIALA Chairperson, Haryana Higher Education Council (HHEC) and Former VC, Makhan Lal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal, MP

Maj Gen Kochhar’s book comes at an opportune time when India is reviewing the complete nature of its bi-lateral ties with China. The author has cogently laid down the steps that India needs to take in evolving a comprehensive defence strategy and achieving success in the “Make in India” initiative. - LT GEN DS HOODA, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM and Bar, ADC (Veteran) Indian Army; (Former General Officer Commanding, Northern Command and Architect of the Surgical Strike Operation into Pakistan)

China’s phenomenal rise and march on to an upward economic trajectory is an irreversible process. The Dragon has already indicated its arrival on global stage as a leader amongst the comity of nations and its influence in Latin America, Africa, EU, Middle East and its own periphery is proliferating by the day. The ideas in the book are refreshing in its specificity which takes the reader step by step towards greater understanding of perceived Chinese Myth and leads to logical prognosis of India’s recommended growth and development trajectory. - LT GEN ABHAY KRISHNA, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC (Veteran); Former General Officer Commanding, Eastern Command, South Western Command and Central Command, Indian Army

Despite both being ancient civilizations, China remains poorly understood in India and possibly the vice versa is also true. While China has surged ahead economically, keeping in view our potential to emerge as an equally major player in the world polity, it is essential to have a deeper understanding of China in its entirety. Gen Kochhar’s book is a significant step towards breaking the mystery and myths on China. - VICE ADMIRAL M.P.MURALIDHARAN, AVSM and Bar, NM (Veteran); Former DG, Indian Coast Guard and former Member of Armed Forces Tribunal, Indian Navy

Major General Rajan Kochhar has well articulated the rise of China as an emerging global power and its implications on India after painstaking research. He has highlighted challenges and opportunities for the two Asian powers in the backdrop of contentious bi-lateral issues and the changing global and regional power dynamics. The book also deliberates on the various facets of Make in India. - LT GEN GYAN BHUSHAN, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (Veteran); Former GOC, South Western Command, Former Member of Armed Forces Tribunal and GOC 4 Corps (Ladakh Sector), Indian Army

Truly speaking, China is a myth which needs be broken. However it cannot be broken without knowledge.  This book provides us with the wherewithal to gain knowledge to start breaking the myth. The Sino Indian story will be one of cooperation and competition in this century, dotted with intermediate low level but high tension conflicts. Gen Kochhar has very clearly enunciated the steps India must adopt to keep the Sino India relationship on an even keel have been well laid out with emphasis on the need for India to modernise its defence forces on one hand and cultivating asymmetric countermeasures on the other. - LT GEN PR SHANKAR, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Veteran); Former Director General Artillery, Indian Army

The myth of PLA being a formidable fighting force started eroding in face of the resolute stance of the Indian armed forces, in the freezing heights of Ladakh (2020). Breaking this myth, however, is neither a one-time effort nor a function of rhetoric. It has to be a concerted effort driven by vision, strategy and resolute implementation. In his book, Maj Gen Kochhar hasoffered suggestions on creating a capability to meet this multi-domain challenge, which is here to stay. - LT GEN ANIL AHUJA, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM & Bar (Veteran); Former Corps Commander, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Policy Planning and Force Development), Secretary Defence Acquisition Council and Defence Attache to Vietnam, Indian Army

Demystification of China’s vision and hubris is an existential imperative for India. Having known General Kochhar intimately, this work is a product of his excellence both as a soldier and an outstanding logistician. This publication is notable for its focus on the critical elements of capacity building, preparedness, and indigenization. - LT GEN SANJIV LANGER, PVSM, AVSM (Veteran); Former, Member Armed Forces Tribunal & DG Defence Intelligence Agency & Deputy Chief Integrated Defence Staff, Indian Army. 

With technology changing the contours of conventional war and the lines between tactical, operational and strategic elements of war increasingly getting blurred, there is an urgent need for us to recalibrate our relationship with other countries, particularly those who have historically been our adversaries. - PROF HIMANSHU RAI, Director, Indian Institute of Management, Indore and Chairperson Board of Directors, Indore Management Association

The book brings out incisive details about the complexities of the Indo-Chinese relationships and implications and options for India. China is a superpower in the making with its one party government ruling the roost and bulldozing its Agenda. India is the world’s largest democracy with its embedded contradictions - Application of brakes Agenda of the Opposition thus decelerating development. In order to overtake China, India will have to take quick decisions for effecting self reliance or Atmanirbharta. - LT GEN PRADEEP BHALLA, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC (Veteran); Former DG, Ordnance Services, Indian Army

Specific to India, China’s rise is unique as it is aimed to deny any strategic space to India and use strategic coercion as a tool of foreign policy. The recent Himalayan misadventure is an outcome of this revisionist strategic culture. It’s time to rethink, reset and recalibrate India’s China policy through a whole of the nation approach and build up both comprehensive national power and capacity. China only responds to her perception of relative balance of power. - LT GEN A B SHIVANE, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Veteran); Former DG, Mechanized Forces, Indian Army

Breaking the Chinese Myth is very relevant and a timely analysis of an aggressively rising China. It has covered the vast range of challenges outlying the strategy for coping with China. He has also covered the connected issues of capability building, modernization and Atmanirbhar Bharat. - LT GEN KJ SINGH, PVSM, AVSM and Bar (Veteran); State Information Commissioner, Govt of Haryana and Former General Officer Commanding, Western Command, Indian Army. 

In this book the author has discussed China’s emergence as Global power, their foreign policy, a comparative analysis of military strength which gives us as a Nation the idea of what China’s policies will be in dealing with us. The most important futuristic aspect the author has dealt with is the imperatives for a comprehensive Security Defence Strategy: Vision 2047. - AIR VICE MARSHAL SURYAKANT CHAFEKAR, AVSM, Shaurya Chakra (Veteran); Former SASO Maintenance Command, , Gallantry Award Winner for sorties in Ladakh Sector, Indian Air Force; 

Link to order on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3232YdK


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